What's New In San Diego This Summer 2026

San Diego is gearing up for Summer 2026 with a season full of can’t miss moments, including major sporting events, concerts, cultural experiences and standout dining. San Diego is inviting visitors to soak up the sunshine and the feel-good-energy and come to the bright side.

Major Events

The first-ever NASCAR San Diego Weekend will be held during Father’s Day Weekend (June 19 – 21) at Naval Base Coronado, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy. NASCAR San Diego will be three days of races headlined by the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series on June 21, along with the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. In addition to being San Diego’s first NASCAR event, it will also be the first race to take place on a military base.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Snapdragon Stadium will host “Countdown to ‘26” international soccer matches, in partnership with Sports San Diego, San Diego FC and Lions Sports & Media. The two matches will be Switzerland vs. Australia on June 6 and Colombia vs. Jordan on June 7. San Diego will also serve as basecamp for the national teams of Switzerland and New Zealand as they prepare for the World Cup this summer.

Hotel News

Le Méridien Pinnacle San Diego will open in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood this summer. The sleek 39-story hotel will offer 231 rooms and suites, a rooftop pool and bar, outdoor fitness center and modern European-style decor. Situated in one of San Diego’s most walkable neighborhoods, hotel guests will have seamless access to the waterfront and Broadway Pier, Santa Fe Depot train station and Little Italy’s bustling restaurants and shops.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines announced the appointment of three distinguished chefs to its award-winning culinary team. Eric Sakai has been named Executive Chef and is joined by Owen Beatty as Chef de Cuisine of A.R. Valentien and Michael Moritz as Chef de Cuisine of The Grill at Torrey Pines. Chef Sakai brings more than a decade of leadership experience in luxury hospitality and fine dining, most recently serving as Executive Chef at the Hall Park Hotel in Frisco, Texas.

The Manchester Grand Hyatt has unveiled the refresh of their Top of the Hyatt cocktail bar and dining space with a limited-time pop-up, The Hidden Forty. Running through May 29, this speakeasy-inspired experience transforms the newly-renovated rooftop into a clandestine hideaway inspired by Art Deco glamour and a Prohibition-era cocktail culture.

Performing Arts

The San Diego Symphony has announced their 2026 Conrad Prebys Summer Season at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The iconic waterfront venue is home to the Symphony’s summer season and will feature performances by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, genre-spanning touring and guest artists, blockbuster films in concert and more. The summer season officially kicks off on June 26 with a performance led by SDSO Music and Artistic Director Rafael Payare.

La Jolla Music Society is celebrating the 40th annual SummerFest from July 31 – August 29, 2026. This annual chamber music festival brings the greatest classical musicians and more from around the world to The Conrad in La Jolla for four weeks of concerts planned by Music Director and acclaimed concert pianist Inon Barnatan. SummerFest 2026 takes on the theme “Making History.”

San Diego Opera presents the Southern California premiere of Fellow Travelers, set to debut at the Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego and run from July 10-12. Based on Thomas Mallon’s novel, Fellow Travelers, the opera follows two men as they navigate a secret, heated romance amid political paranoia and fear in the McCarthy Era. The debut coincides with San Diego Pride Month.

Visual Art and Museums

On view at the Mingei International Museum, To Catch a Fish (May 2 – November 1, 2026) explores the global relationship between people and the sea through more than 60 works of craft and art—from handwoven fishing tools to ceremonial objects and contemporary works, including pieces by Indigenous artist Marianne Nicolson. Elevating the experience, the museum’s Michelin-recognized, award-winning restaurant ARTIFACT will host a special edition of its ARTIFACT at Night dinner series on May 21, inspired by coastal cuisines and seafood traditions from around the world.

A new exhibition at the USS Midway Museum tells the story of the Midway 11, USS Midway aviators who were captured during the Vietnam War, and endured captivity as prisoners of war in North Vietnam. Through personal accounts and historic artifacts, Captive Warriors: The Story of the Midway 11 honors their resilience and their return home with honor in 1973.

Restaurants, Breweries and Nightlife

This summer, international restaurant-lifestyle concept Zuma will open its first California location within downtown San Diego’s historic The Guild Hotel. Zuma is known for its high-energy izakaya-style experience and the menu is shaped by three distinct culinary experiences—the sushi counter, the robata grill, and the main kitchen. The space will span approximately 12,000 square feet with the capacity to seat around 270 guests.

The Padres’ newly named events and hospitality business, Finest Collective, has opened the Diamond Room, a late 1970s-inspired cocktail bar just outside Gallagher Square at Petco Park. The Diamond Room offers specialty cocktails and small bites amid velvet and leather décor, complete with mirrors, turntables, a disco ball, and dark tones. This new premium space is open for fans to enjoy before or after Padres games and events.

Major Attraction News

SeaWorld San Diego has announced a summer opening date for the much-anticipated Shark Encounter Exhibit. Opening May 22, park guests can get a more immersive, up-close view of the new shark species. At the surface level, guests can observe sharks from above while discovering fun and informative facts throughout the sandy setting. Educational signage and photo opportunities provide insights into shark behavior, habitats, and conservation. As visitors move deeper into the winding exhibit, the environment transforms into a breathtaking underwater perspective where sharks glide overhead.

Another new addition is coming to SeaWorld San Diego this summer, a nightly drone show debuting Friday, May 22 and lasting through the summer season. Ocean of Dreams, featuring 600 fully synchronized drones with a soaring soundtrack, celebrates the beauty of the ocean, inspired by marine life and ocean conservation. The 12-minute immersive drone show transforms the night sky into a living ocean, taking guests on a journey beneath the waves.

This summer, visitors to Balboa Park can see the Park’s newly-restored historic pergola in the Central Gardens. Originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition alongside the Botanical Building, the pergola was one of 12 that once graced the grounds. Lost during World War II when Balboa Park served as a military training site, this cherished feature has now been thoughtfully revived, preserving the park’s history while creating a renewed space for visitors to gather and connect. The unveiling of this restoration marked the completion of the larger Botanical Building Restoration project that began in 2019.

What's New In San Diego For Fall 2025

All October long, kids are invited to stay, eat and play for free as a part of the annual “Kids Free San Diego.” Offers include free hotel stays or amenities, free entrance to theme parks and attractions and free meals for children with a paid adult throughout the month and region. With over 100 offers to choose from, there is something for every child and child-at-heart to do this fall.

The San Diego Food and Wine Festival returns to the Embarcadero November 7-9 to showcase cross-border cuisine, celebrated chefs, winemakers and more. The festival also spotlights sustainability, features award-winning chefs including James Beard–recognized talent, and supports culinary education programs through scholarships that benefit aspiring hospitality professionals across the region.

Twitchcon 2025 will return to the San Diego Convention Center October 17-19 to celebrate the culture of live streaming, esports, internet culture, and entertainment. This year’s event expands on fan favorites like Creator Camp, Glitch Theater, Twitch Rivals, Artist Alley, and the famous Block Party, plus exclusive merch and elevated lounge experiences.

New Hotels & Renovations

Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina is continuing the celebration of the arrival of giant pandas in San Diego with the Pandamonium Package, created in partnership with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Available through the end of 2025, the package includes a stay in a panda-themed suite, complete with bamboo accents and plush décor, plus general zoo admission and an exclusive behind-the-scenes Wildlife Adventures ‘Inside Look’ tour.

As part of a property-wide transformation, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego has debuted its fully redesigned deluxe guest rooms in the Seaport Tower. This milestone marks the first completed phase of the 1,628-room hotel’s top-to-bottom renovation, which will continue through 2026 with additional upgrades to guest accommodations, dining venues, meeting spaces, and rooftop recreation.

Arts & Culture

San Diego Design Week is September 17–21, spotlighting the role of human-centered design in shaping solutions to today’s social, environmental, and civic challenges. This year’s theme, Design for Impact, calls on creatives and changemakers to drive meaningful, measurable progress through bold and purposeful design. Through exhibitions, workshops, talks, and cross-disciplinary collaborations, the festival transforms the city into a vibrant design lab where innovation meets community.

La Jolla Playhouse's fall lineup features three productions, all of which are world-premiers. The Heart (Aug. 19–Sept. 21) is a gripping, emotionally charged musical following a life-saving heart transplant journey. All the Men Who’ve Frightened Me (Sept. 16–Oct. 12) is a genre-blending new play about a trans man who decides to carry his own child while confronting figures from his past. And Working Girl (Oct. 28–Nov. 30), a fresh and funny musical adaptation of the iconic 1988 film, with music by Cyndi Lauper.

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will present “Alex Katz: Theater and Dance” from August 21, 2025-January 4, 2026. This exhibition is the first comprehensive exploration of Katz’s playful and inventive collaborations with choreographers, dancers, and members of avant-garde theater ensembles over six decades. The touring exhibition showcases nearly 90 rare archival materials, major sets and paintings, and previously unexhibited sketches from more than two dozen productions.

Dining & Libations

From the team behind North Park’s Cori Pastificio Trattoria comes Dora, opening this Fall in UCSD’s Theatre District. Named after Chef Accursio Lota’s grandmother, Dora will bring coastal Southern Italian cuisine to La Jolla with house made pastas, breads, gelato, and Mediterranean seafood rooted in Sicilian tradition. Just steps from the La Jolla Playhouse, Dora will also offer pre-theatre menus inspired by current productions, creating a seamless journey from table to stage.

Vulture, the newest concept from the team behind Kindred and Mothership, is now open in University Heights. Vulture reimagines mid-century Continental fine dining through a bold, plant-based lens—complete with tablecloth service, rich sauces, and theatrical tableside presentations. Helmed by Executive Chef Pancho Castellón and Head of Pastry Amy Noonan, the menu features standout dishes like Steak Diane made with lion’s mane mushrooms and a reworked Caesar with chickpea-based Parmiagiana and seaweed caviar.

Awards & Recognitions

The 2025 Michelin Guide recently named the newly opened Lilo as San Diego’s newest one-star Michelin restaurant. Lilo is an intimate, design-forward tasting restaurant from Eric Bost and John Resnick, the team behind Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie and Campfire, serving 12-course dinners to just 22 guests per evening. With Lilo’s addition, San Diego County now boasts five Michelin-starred establishments: the three-star Addison by Chef William Bradley, and one-star restaurants Valle (Oceanside), Juene et Jolie (Carlsbad), and Soichi (University Heights). Beyond the starred restaurants, San Diego has earned recognition for nine Bib Gourmand eateries and several recommended restaurants, totaling well over a dozen Michelin-recognized establishments.

Transportation

San Diego International Airport’s Terminal 1 transformation will reach a major milestone in September with the completion of phase 1. The reimagined terminal will welcome travelers with 19 gates, a new elevated departures roadway, an outdoor check-in pavilion, and a variety of shopping and dining experiences.

Sustainability

As part of its sustainability efforts, Town and Country Resort has introduced an on-site beehive in partnership with Encinitas Honey to support local pollination and eco-friendly practices. The resort is incorporating the honey into dishes and drinks across its restaurants, including specialty cocktails at ARLO and sweet treats at Lapper Sports Bar + Kitchen. Additional bee-inspired offerings include a limited-edition honey blonde ale with Pure Project Brewery and BeeKind organic toiletries in all guestrooms, further highlighting the resort’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

San Diego International Airport (SAN) has activated a cutting-edge hydrant fueling system as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and operational excellence. Hydrant fueling systems streamline the refueling process by delivering fuel directly from storage facilities to aircraft via underground pipelines. The new system reduces aircraft turnaround times, minimizes fuel truck traffic, and lowers carbon emissions.

For more information on San Diego’s offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority’s website at www.sandiego.org.

Pandas Are Back At The San Diego Zoo For The First Time Since 2019

Excitement is in the air at the San Diego Zoo as Americans will soon meet the first pandas the zoo has had since 2019. The arrival of the pandas is not just a treat for visitors, but also a symbol of decades-long U.S.-China relations.

"It's a very exciting time for the zoo. No other species embodies that conservation mission as much as giant pandas," said Megan Owen, the zoo's head of conservation science.

New residents include Yun Chuan, a 5-year-old male panda who enjoys relaxing with a bushel of bamboo.

"He's a foodie," Owen said. "All the pandas love their food, but he definitely loves his bamboo."

Yun Chuan's roots run deep at the San Diego Zoo. His mother was born there in 2007, and his grandmother is a local legend who was the one of the zoo's first two pandas and lived there for over 20 years.

Joining Yun Chuan is 4-year-old female named Xin Bao, known for her intelligence and adventurous spirit. These are the first pandas to come to a U.S. zoo in 21 years.

The hope is that Yun Chuan and Xin Bao will parent the next generation, ushering in a renewed era of peaceful panda relations.

The first pandas who made their home in the U.S. arrived at Washington, D.C.'s National Zoo in 1972. They were a gift to first lady Pat Nixon after a historic visit to China with President Richard Nixon that helped establish diplomatic relations between the countries.

From then on, 50 years of "panda diplomacy" helped boost the panda population and their popularity, with millions of adoring fans watching every tumble, snow day and birth.

China owns the pandas and typically leases them out for 10-year terms at 1 million dollars per year per pair. But with increased tensions between Beijing and the West, China appeared to be pulling back the bears as their leases expired.

However, a recent signal from Chinese President Xi Jinping indicated a thawing of icy panda relations.

In November, Chinese President Xi Jinping raised hopes his country would start sending pandas to the U.S. again after he and President Joe Biden convened in Northern California for their first face-to-face meeting in a year and pledged to try to reduce tensions.

"We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation," Xi said in late 2023.

This means more pandas are expected back at American zoos. Considering the San Diego Zoo's long history with these bears, it's a natural first stop for the pandas' encore tour.

https://www.cbsnews.com/team/elise-preston/

San Diego Set To Dazzle Visitors In 2024 With World Class Events And Activities

As 2024 unfolds, San Diego is primed to offer a year filled with new and enthralling experiences for visitors.

The city, lauded as one of AFAR Magazine's "Where To Go in 2024”, and as the first U.S. city to be designated a World Design Capital, stands ready to solidify its standing as a top-tier global destination. Boasting gorgeous natural landscapes, deep cultural diversity, and award-winning cuisine, San Diego serves up 24 compelling reasons for a visit in the new year.

“Whether you're a family looking for new attractions to experience, a culinary enthusiast pursuing mouth-watering cuisine, an arts lover immersed in music festivals, museums and global design, or an outdoor adventurer seeking to ride the surf and explore the trails, San Diego has you covered in 2024,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO, San Diego Tourism Authority.

Attractions

LEGOLAND Debuts Dinosaurs

LEGOLAND California is ready to roar in ’24: Not only is the park in coastal Carlsbad celebrating its 25th birthday (aka “brickday”), but it will open a new themed area called Dino Valley as well as hosting North America’s very first LEGO World Parade. Dino Valley will include two brand-new rides as well as plenty of interactive features for young visitors.

SeaWorld’s Jellyfish Showcase

SeaWorld San Diego, which has been remaking its patron experience over the past few years with numerous new rides and attractions, is adding another twist in 2024: An aquarium called Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience. With its walk-through arch and giant viewing wall, the aquarium promises to be as immersive as things can get without actually swimming alongside the jellies.

Botanical Building Reborn

One of the most distinctive structures in San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park, the Botanical Building was built in 1915 and is recognized as one of the largest wood lath structures in the world. This home to hundreds of rare, tropical and indigenous plants has undergone a major reconstruction intended to restore the building to its original design, and will reopen in 2024.

A Big Birthday for The Nat

Birthdays don’t get much more monumental than The Nat’s: The venerable Natural History Museum in Balboa Park marks its 150th in 2024. Now the oldest scientific institution in Southern California, The Nat will celebrate with free birthday admission, a new Nature Garden and giant-screen movie, and a whole lot more.

Arts and Entertainment in the Spotlight

World Design Capital a Binational Coup

Two years after San Diego and Tijuana jointly received designation as World Design Capital 2024 — a major global honor — the yearlong WDC24 celebration is about to kick off. San Diego is the first U.S. city to be named or co-named World Design Capital, and the city teamed with its cross-border neighbor of Tijuana, Mexico, to beat out Moscow (the other finalist) for that distinction. Now the two cities will mark WDC24 with an extended series of events and happenings centered on the theme of “Home.” The WDC designation helped inspire AFAR Magazine to include San Diego and Tijuana in its “Where to Go in 2024” roundup of “the 25 most exciting places around the world to visit next.”

Wonderfront Festival Tunes Up Again

After taking a hiatus in 2023, the sprawling Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival will again unfold along San Diego’s sparkling Embarcadero, with three days of music, food and fun. The fest, last held in 2022 with headliners including Gwen Stefani and Kings of Leon, is moving from its previous November slot to a new time frame (dates and artists have yet to be announced).

Concours d’Elegance a Vehicle for Dreams

The art of exquisite automotive design will get a world-class showcase here in 2024 —with a breathtaking setting to match — as the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance unfolds at La Jolla Cove in April. From a “Porsches on Prospect” sports-car extravaganza to chic VIP happenings to the vintage spritz of the event’s “Roaring ‘20s and Glamorous ‘30s” theme, the Concours d’Elegance promises to be a car-lover's nirvana. And with more than 170 classic vehicles on display, there will be plenty to love.

Music Returns to Copley Symphony Hall

Historic Copley Symphony Hall — the longtime indoor home of the San Diego Symphony — will stage its much-awaited reopening in 2024 after a $125 million renovation. Improvements to the nearly 100-year-old Downtown performance space (formerly the Fox Theatre) include a reconfigured stage, a reshaped main seating level, improved acoustics and more.

KAABOO Gets an Encore

Some five years after its last edition in Del Mar, the popular KAABOO music festival is making its return in 2024. While the lineup of artists has yet to be announced, the fest has a rep for big-name performers and will again unfold at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

The Dining Scene Heats Up

Lafayette Hotel’s Dining Delights

Since San Diego’s CH Projects took over ownership of the venerable Lafayette Hotel in North Park, it has gone on a wildly creative binge with its dining and drinking options. The eight Lafayette eateries now open or coming online in 2024 include everything from the retro Beginners Diner to the Oaxacan restaurant Quixote to The Gutter, a bar with its own two-lane bowling alley.

Michelin Magic in San Diego

As San Diego continues to gain worldwide renown for its restaurant prowess, the region will enter 2024 with a full five restaurants that have been honored with coveted Michelin stars. They include the elegant Addison at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, one of only a handful of restaurants in all of California to earn the maximum three Michelin stars.

Sustainability is the Word at Watershed

One of the most celebrated chefs to come out of Baja California’s fertile Valle de Guadalupe will mark 2024 by opening a new restaurant in San Diego’s North Park. Drew Deckman, who hails from Georgia but has been a fixture in Baja culinary circles for more than a decade (and earned a Michelin star in Europe before that), is launching Watershed on University Avenue, with sustainability as a guiding principle.

Karl Strauss Embraces Its History

San Diego is known these days as the Capital of Craft, but you could argue that the region’s critical mass of craft-beer-itude began in 1989, when Karl Strauss Brewing Co. opened its first tasting room on Columbia Street. Now, as Strauss gets ready to celebrate its 35th anniversary, the grandaddy of San Diego craft brewers has reacquired that original location, which it plans to “reimagine as an homage to the San Diego brewing scene.”

See-Worthy at Seaport Village

The just-opened Malibu Farm restaurant — owned and operated by chef Helene Henderson and her husband, actor John Stockwell — is the latest addition to the waterfront Seaport Village, whose rising profile and surge of new eateries should make it a place to put near the top of your itinerary for 2024.

Whaling Bar Resurfaces

It’s been a decade since the much-loved Whaling Bar at La Jolla’s La Valencia Hotel — the renowned “Pink Lady” of San Diego — served its last cocktail. Now, after a refitting of the historic watering hole, the Whaling Bar is set to return in 2024 under the auspices of the SDCM Restaurant Group, which runs eight other San Diego bars and restaurants.

Sports Sensations

Gallagher Square Gets a Glow-Up Gallagher Square is already a much-loved focal point of Petco Park — home of the San Diego Padres and the No. 1 MLB ballpark in America, as deemed by USA Today. Now a $20 million glow-up, set for completion in 2024, will bring even more great features to the family-friendly square, including a new Tony Gwynn Terrace viewing deck and picnic space, a dog park, temporary pickleball courts, public art displays spotlighting San Diego-area artists, and much more.

Petco Park Marks a Milestone

Speaking of Petco Park: The Downtown ballpark, which hosts not only MLB baseball but pop concerts, college football’s annual Holiday Bowl and many other special events, marks its 20th anniversary in 2024. Look for the Padres to host plenty of happenings and commemorations as the big anniversary season unfolds at this beautiful venue.

Saddles in the Outfield

And there will be yet another exciting new development at Petco Park in 2024: The Padres, in partnership with C5 Rodeo Company Inc and Outriders Present, are presenting the ballpark’s first-ever rodeo in January. The three-day event will transform the park into a Downtown rodeo zone, with the world's top cowboys competing for more than a half-million dollars in prize money.

Rady Invitational Returns

With the stunning success of the San Diego State men’s basketball team, which made a thrilling run to the national title game in 2023, San Diego has cemented its rep as a basketball hotbed. The new Rady Children’s Invitational builds on that track record, bringing top college hoops teams from around the nation to the UC San Diego campus for the second edition of this exciting Thanksgiving Weekend tournament.

Breeders’ Cup Rides Again in Del Mar

The Del Mar Racetrack is fast becoming a go-to home for the Breeders’ Cup, one of the most prestigious annual events in Thoroughbred racing. The two-day event, with awards and prizes in excess of $30 million, will unfold in Del Mar in both 2024 and 2025, building on an inaugural run “where the turf meets the surf” in 2021.

Pro Volleyball Gets Its Mojo On

Excitement over women’s professional volleyball is spiking big-time, and now our town is getting in on the action with the 2024 debut of the San Diego Mojo, a Pro Volleyball Federation club owned by Olympian and beach-volleyball luminary Kerri Walsh Jennings. The Mojo begins play in February at Viejas Arena on the San Diego State University campus.

State Games Make San Diego Home

San Diego’s strong and ever-growing rep as a sports town is exemplified by the return in 2024 of the State Games of America, an Olympic-style national event held every two years and showcasing matchups among State Games medal winners from more than 30 U.S. states. Some 12,000 amateur athletes are expected to compete in more than two dozen sports here, from archery to figure skating to surfing.

Outdoor Bliss and Beaches

Pickleball and More on the Embarcadero

Waterfront Park along San Diego’s scenic Embarcadero is adding to its already expansive offerings with a $3 million project to bring pickleball courts, an off-leash dog park, shaded seating and more to the 12-acre oasis, which boasts beautiful views of San Diego Bay and beyond.

San Diego’s Beaches Still Shinebr /> br />And of course, San Diego just wouldn’t be San Diego without its amazing beaches and their world-famous plenitude of surf, sun and fun. While there are always lots of new things to do and see in this ever-dynamic city, you can always count on our 70 miles of coastline — from its beaches to its boardwalks to its bays — to make a visit here way more than worthwhile.br /> br />For more information on San Diego’s offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority’s website at www.sandiego.org

Here's What's New In San Diego For Fall 2019

Major Attractions In January 2018, the San Diego Zoo announced its most ambitious project to date, a $69 million brand-new children’s zoo  to be completed in spring 2021. Named after Denny Sanford, a San Diego philanthropist who donated $30 million to this endeavor, the new exhibit will give kids greater opportunities to discover the natural world through play and will be designed to help children develop empathy and better understand and identify with wildlife. Families will be able to venture through four ecosystems—communities of plants and animals that have unique adaptations for their environment. In each region, children will learn about the animals and their environments in ways that awaken their senses and inspire creativity, exploration, and empathy for nature through play. More than 100 species will reside on the 2.3-acre space.

New Hotels In June 2019, The Guild Hotel  opened in downtown San Diego. The 162-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio property is housed in a historic landmark, 1920s-era Army-Navy YMCA building. The boutique hotel revives a hospitality space that served as a place of respite and leisure for millions of service men and women. The Guild’s exterior Italian Renaissance-style facade and staircase are true to its original design and guests are welcomed into a redesigned contemporary lobby that includes a full-service bar. Guest rooms include cozy, European-inspired accommodations and the property also offers a two-bedroom penthouse suite with private rooftop deck. Headed by Executive Chef Justin Vaiciunas, Luca restaurant highlights the city’s indoor/outdoor lifestyle with a main room centered around a vibrant outdoor courtyard that serves as an urban oasis in the heart of downtown. Luca’s menu features light Mediterranean-inspired fare. The YMCA’s former basketball court with elevated running track has been transformed into a grand ballroom featuring original brick wall inlays and hardwood floors. The former underground pool on the basement level is now re-imagined into a one-of-a-kind event space with some original design elements intact. Various private spaces throughout the property are available for special meetings, celebrations and signature programming.  More new hotels

Major Events The popular “Kids Free San Diego” promotion returns for its 8th year this October. Major San Diego attractions including SeaWorld San Diego, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park and LEGOLAND California Resort, along with more than 30 area museums will offer free admission to kids throughout the month. In addition to free attraction admission, many local hotels and restaurants offer specials throughout October, adding up to more than 130 offers throughout San Diego County. La Jolla Playhouse’s Without Walls Festival (WoW), a ground-breaking, site-specific theater series, returns Oct. 17-20, 2019. This is the first year that the biennial WoW will be held at ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station , in partnership with the NTC Foundation. Like previous WoW Festivals, the 2019 event will showcase multiple performances by acclaimed local, national and international artists, along with a selection of family friendly offerings occurring simultaneously throughout the weekend. More major event news

Restaurants, Breweries and Nightlife In August 2019, Animae, a new venue from Top Chef  Brian Malarkey’s restaurant collective, opens in a stunning space in downtown San Diego’s newest luxury condominiums near San Diego Bay. Animae will serve West Coast Asian cuisine created by Executive Chef Joe Magnanelli, formerly of San Diego’s celebrated Urban Kitchen Group. The coal-fired menu utilizes a Josper oven and Japanese Robata grill to prepare large format proteins like West Coast Wagyu, while the finest raw seafoods are presented as crudos. Standouts include koji marinated tomahawk pork with curry, fennel pollen and Asian pear; kung pao sweetbreads with pepper, wasabi peas, broccoli and lotus; and Kampachi with sea bean, daikon, serrano, shiso, and plum vinaigrette. An adjacent casual daytime counterpart, known as Animae Cafe, will serve contemporary takes on Asian favorites from ramen to fresh spring rolls. With pops of lush greenery across the ceiling, Animae Cafe appears as an upside down zen garden. Animae is part of the Puffer Malarkey Collective behind other distinct San Diego restaurants including Herb & Wood, Green Acre and Farmer & the Seahorse.  Slated to open in summer 2019, Huntress  is a contemporary steakhouse inside the former Grand Pacific Hotel, a historic structure built in 1887 in downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter. Helmed by Executive Chef James Montejano, who has worked at Michelin-starred restaurant Michael Mina, Huntress will offer the finest meats, seafood dishes and other signature classics. Guests can enjoy dishes like the A5 Japanese Wagyu and 45-day, dry-aged porterhouses in addition to a prime filet mignon carpaccio. Huntress will boast one of the largest Japanese whisky selections in the country with more than 100 labels displayed on the second-floor mezzanine, in addition to its incredible selection of masterfully crafted cocktails and hand-selected wines.   More restaurant news

Visual Arts and Museums On display through November 2019, the 78-year old San Diego Art Institute (SDAI) in Balboa Park hosts Forging Territories: Queer Afro and Latinx Contemporary Art . Focusing on cultural equity and thought-provoking programming, SDAI’s newest exhibit explores and highlights conversations around talented but underrepresented African American and Latinx artists who identify as LGBTQ. The exhibit showcases rarely told stories of personal and cultural awakening and reflects the artists’ responses to a sense of identity and place, the influence of the current political moment and the comfort of shared background, language and history. The exhibit brings together 20 established, mid-career and emerging contemporary artists who live within the region and work in such varied media as painting, drawing, photography, film and performance. Forging Territories is curated by Ruben Esparza, founder and director of Queer Biennial, an international art fair.   The Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park recently announced the newest addition to its permanent exhibit collection: Sun, Earth, Universe . Opened on July 20, 2019, this interactive exhibition explores the fascinating world of space science and astronomy and examines the big questions NASA is trying to answer. How is Earth changing? What is it like on other planets? Does life exist beyond Earth? Packed with engaging, hands-on exhibits and dazzling imagery, this 600-square-foot exhibition connects visitors with current NASA science research and includes fun and compelling exhibits for visitors of all ages. Guests can design, build and test a model spacecraft, play the Your Mission to Space board game, or help younger visitors pilot rovers across a Mars landscape play table. The fun experiences in Sun, Earth, Universe introduce visitors to ongoing NASA research in the fields of heliophysics, Earth science, planetary science and astrophysics, as well as encouraging them to imagine what the future of Earth and space science might hold.   More visual arts and museum news

Performing Arts The Old Globe theater in Balboa Park debuts the world premiere musical Almost Famous on stage Sept. 13–Oct. 20, 2019. Written by Academy Award-winner Cameron Crowe and based on his iconic 2000 film, Almost Famous is set in San Diego in 1973 and follows a 15-year-old aspiring music journalist hired by Rolling Stone magazine to go on the road with an up-and-coming band. Based on Crowe’s own experience, the story is about a young man finding his place in the world and the indelible characters he meets along the way.   More performing arts news

Transportation and Tour Companies Beginning in October 2019, Swoop Airlines, the low-cost carrier owned by Canada’s WestJet Airlines, will offer new services from Edmonton, Alberta, and Abbotsford, British Colombia, to San Diego. The flights will be available seasonally from October–April with the possibility of year-round schedules in the future.

Awards In June 2019, San Diego’s Addison restaurant in the Fairmont Grand Del Marresort received a Michelin star for the new 2019 California guide, and eight local restaurants received Bib Gourmand status, a category established by Michelin in 1997. Bib Gourmand spotlights restaurants that Michelin inspectors rated highly for offering quality meals at affordable prices. San Diego’s designees offer a diversity of cuisine and culinary trends and are Campfire, Cucina Sorella, Cucina Urbana, El Jardin, Juniper & Ivy, Kettner Exchange, Lola55, and Solare.

Click here for a complete list of What's New in San Diego this fall →

There's somethign to smile about in San Diego. For more information on San Diego’s offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org.

La Jolla Art & Wine Festival Presented By Wells Fargo Celebrating 10 Years Of Prestigious Art, Wine & Family Fun

Saturday, October 6th and Sunday, October 7th, 2018 ***FREE EVENT*** La Jolla, CA – Nothing compares to San Diego’s chic coastal town of La Jolla, where eclectic shops and top-rated restaurants align the streets, and the soft breeze of the Pacific Ocean keeps you cool in the summer heat. For the past 10 years, this quaint beach town has also been home the beloved La Jolla Art & Wine Festival. Widely recognized as one of Southern California’s most prestigious art and wine festivals, this FREEtwo-day festival will return to la Jolla on October 6th and October 7th, from 10 am to 6 pm, to once again showcase spectacular art, fine wine, San Diego’s best craft beers, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. This expertly curated festival features over 150 sought after artists from across the U.S. and Mexico. Their exquisite creations come in a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture, jewelry design, fine glass, ceramics, woodwork, mixed media and photography. But this Festival isnot just for the art connoisseur… budding artists can create their own innovations here as well! The Geppetto’s Family Art Center + Lab offers interactive demos, hands-on experiments, and an assortment of arts and crafts for children of all ages. Kids can paint on a car, learn about 3-D printing, test their skills on the gymnastics obstacle course, and much more in this FREE activity center!  The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival has also become a national destination where vino enthusiasts and craft beer lovers unite. The iconic Wine & Beer Garden highlights over 40 local craft breweries and international wineries. Let the libations specialists guide your taste buds on a savory journey of some of the world’s finest beverages! Along with a gourmet marketplace, a two-day silent auction, 15 pet adoption stations, and an all-star line-up of live entertainment and music, there is truly something for everyone at the 2018 La Jolla Art & Wine Festival. All profits raised benefit underfunded programs such as art, music, science, physical education, technology, and on-site medical care at La Jolla public elementary and middle schools. For more information visit www.ljawf.com or call 619.233.5008.

Travelore Tips: Sunny Destinations Unaffected By Irma #GoDomRep

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Eden Roc at Cap Cana - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Offering exclusive luxury in the Dominican Republic, Eden Roc at Cap Cana, the only Relais & Chateaux hotel on the island, features 34 freestanding suites with private pools and stunning views. The resort offers extravagant amenities such as a full service spa, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course (Punta Espada) located nearby, private Beach Club, Koko Kids Club, five diverse culinary selections, and more. Read more now

Calala Island – Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua Calala Island, named one of "The 10 Best Private islands in the World," is nestled in the undiscovered part of the Caribbean, off the coast of Nicaragua. Experience barefoot luxury in a pristine paradise with a team of 25 Calala-lalas (also known in some parts of the world as "staff") for a maximum of 8 guests. They ensure your every desire is met, seamlessly. Read more now

Hotel Valley Ho - Scottsdale, Arizona Hotel Valley Ho is the legendary hip hotel in downtown Scottsdale, paying tribute to its original and classic mid-century design. A hideaway for celebrities, this Downtown Scottsdale resort features generously sized guest rooms with all-glass walls opening onto airy patios or balconies, many with views of Camelback Mountain. Read more now Anse Chastanet - St. Lucia Anse Chastanet is set amid a lush 600-acre estate with two soft-sand beaches and breathtaking views of St. Lucia's iconic twin Pitons mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The environmentally friendly, award-winning resort has 49 individually designed rooms, 37 of which are scattered about a lush hillside, and 12 that are nestled within a tropical garden at beach level. Read more now Mountain Shadows - Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Arizona - Luxury Resort Mountain Shadows is the new boutique resort in Paradise Valley, Arizona, set in the shadow of Camelback Mountain. Opened in early 2017, the resort features timeless modern design, 183 guestrooms, a restaurant with an exhibition kitchen, two pools, a high-tech fitness facility, a fully revamped short golf course, a golf grill and lounge as well as 37,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. Read more now Hotel del Coronado & Beach Village at The Del - San Diego, California This majestic oceanfront beach resort engages the senses and its storied personality captivates the imagination of global guests and San Diego locals alike. Situated on America's most beloved beach, The Del is an iconic destination on every savvy traveler's must-see list. Read more now

National Geographic's Top 10 Oceanfront Cities

Glittering seascapes provide both the backdrop and the beat of these waterfront urban meccas.

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  Tel Aviv, Israel

  Photograph by Amos Schliack, laif/Redux

  This list was first published in the book The World's Best Cities.

  There’s plenty of room for beach bathing in this modern Israeli city on the Mediterranean. The historic port of Jaffa has found new life in recent years with a vibrant gallery, café, and restaurant scene.

  Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Holy Land on a National Geographic Expedition to Israel and the West Bank.>>
• 

  Tallinn, Estonia

  Photograph by Keenpress, National Geographic

  From its picturesque perch on the Baltic, this is one of the most intact medieval towns in Europe. Visitors love to wander Old Town and explore Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour, an interactive maritime museum with ships and a submarine to explore.
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  St. John's, Canada

  Photograph by Christian Heeb, laif/Redux

  With Irish folk music floating from seafront bars, Newfoundland’s largest city feels more like Dublin. But when icebergs float into the harbor and whales spout offshore, the city struts its own frontier personality.
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  San Diego, California

  Photograph by Christian Heeb, laif/Redux

  While surfers hit Pacific Beach for some of the best wave riding this side of Maui, others wander the boardwalk, stopping at shacks for fresh fish tacos. A bit south, cruise ship visitors wander a strikingly clean downtown and tour the 1945 World War II U.S.S. Midway, the country’s longest-serving aircraft carrier.
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  Marseille, France

  Photograph by Ian Hanning, REA/Redux

  This historic port city has long served as a crossroads between continents, a case made by its stunning new Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, a giant box covered with latticework. Rooftop seating offers views of the passing parade of yachts heading out to sea.
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  Perth, Australia

  Photograph by Carla Gottgens, Bloomberg/Getty

  Western Australia’s largest city sits on the edge of the continent, taking full advantage of its Indian Ocean roost. From Marmion Marine Park, it’s easy to spot Australian sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, and migrating humpback whales.

  Discover the stunning coasts of Australia with National Geographic.>>
• 

  Brisbane, Australia

  Photograph by Gerald Haenel, laif/Redux

  Laid-back Brizzie offers the best of both worlds: a sophisticated global city with easy access to beaches, rain forests, and even the world’s first koala preserve. Visitors cruise the Brisbane River, explore the South Bank parklands, and take in the cosmopolitan panorama on the towering Story Bridge climb.

  Explore Australia’s cosmopolitan cities on a National Geographic Expedition.>>
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  Durban, South Africa

  Photograph by Hoberman Collection, UIG/Getty Images

  The continent’s busiest seaport blends African and Indian cultures and influences in its beaches, restaurants, and spectacular seaside promenades.
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  Vladivostok, Russia

  Photograph by Oleg Rodionov, Alamy

  Russia’s remote window to the Far East is home to the country’s Pacific Fleet, which visitors can see while walking along Golden Horn Bay. It’s also the terminus for the famed Trans-Siberia Railway, which links it to distant Moscow, more than 5,000 miles (8,047 km) away.
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  Portland, Maine

  Photograph by Raul Touzon, National Geographic

  This lively but laid-back city boasts both top-end galleries and waterfront lobster shacks. But perhaps nothing speaks to its nautical heritage more than the postcard-ready Portland Head Light, authorized by George Washington.
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